Deputy Pearse Doherty says he has been given assurances by the Saolta Healthcare Group that the oncology clinics in LUH will resume from next week.
It follows a situation which has seen the clinics cancelled two weeks in a row at the hospital.
The Sinn Fein TD Doherty said he has sought assurances from hospital management in relation to the resumption of the service.
He said “I was informed in a reply received today that over the last two weeks there has been reduced specialist nursing to the Medical Oncology Service at Letterkenny University Hospital as a result of staff changes and unexpected leave.
“I was further informed that a newly appointed Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) will be in post to support the service from the 8th of November. In the interim support has been made available from the 1st of November.
“Saolta has advised that the National Cancer Control Programme has provided funding for a second Advanced Nurse Practitioner. That job description has been finalised with the Nursing and Midwifery Development Unit and will be going to advertisement in the very near future.
“In addition, a Business Case submitted by the Service Manager for a third CNS post has been approved at the Local Employment Control Committee Meeting. I understand that this post is now being progressed from the recruitment approvals and advertising stages.”
Deputy Doherty said he hopes this will prevent cancellations happening again.
He added “I sincerely hope that these steps will rectify the issue and will prevent a recurrence of same going forward.
“Cancer patients in Donegal and elsewhere cannot be left in limbo or have their assessment and treatments delayed.
“What happened earlier this week was unacceptable and I will be reviewing the cancellations with LUH and Saolta management going forward.
